Indian football legend PK Banerjee passes away at 83
Indian football legend PK Banerjee died on Friday after battling a prolonged illness. The football legend was 83 years old. The legendary footballer is survived by daughters Paula and Purna, who are renowned academicians, and younger brother Prasun Banerjee, who is a sitting Trinamool Congress MP. Here are further details on the same.
PK Banerjee was suffering from respiratory problems
The 1962 Asian Games gold-medallist was suffering from respiratory problems due to pneumonia. He also had an underlying history of Parkinson's disease, dementia and heart problems. According to a family member, he was on life support at a hospital here since March 2 and breathed his last at 12:40 PM.
Banerjee scored 19 goals in 36 games for India
He represented India in 36 official matches and scored 19 official goals for the country. Besides winning the gold medal at the Jakarta Asian Games in 1992, the prolific footballer also led India in the 1960 Rome Olympics, where he scored the equalizer against France. He also represented India in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and did well in their 4-2 win over Australia.
A look at Banerjee's career as a coach
Banerjee was a coach as well in his career. His first stint at coaching came at East Bengal. He then went on to guide Mohun Bagan in winning the IFA Shield, Rovers Cup and Durand Cup respectively. That was their first-ever triple-crown triumph in one season. He became the national coach in 1972 and went on to coach the Indian football team till 1986.
Banerjee received these prestigious awards
He was also the first Indian footballer to receive the Arjuna Award (1961). He was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 1990. Banerjee was also bestowed with the FIFA Fairplay Award (1990) and the FIFA Centennial Order of Merit in 2004.
AIFF president Praful Patel pays tribute
AIFF president Praful Patel said, "It's sad to hear that Pradip da, one of India's greatest footballers, is no more. His contribution to Indian Football will never be forgotten. I share the grief. He will stay synonymous with the golden generation of Indian football."
